Rattanon REIGNS supreme

The youngster completed a wire-to-wire victory to claim his first Asian Tour title with a two-shot lead over the more experienced Shiv Kapur and Gaganjeet Bhullar of India.

Starting yesterday’s round with a one-shot lead, the 21-year-old from Chanthaburi never wavered in his commitment to script the biggest triumph of his career, firing a 67 to finish with 21-under-par 263. The two Indians, who have nine Asian Tour titles between them, gave him a tough competition until the end but had to be content for second with 265.

“I have been waiting for this win for five years. I’m happy that I was focused while playing against several good players with a better pedigree than I on the Asian Tour. I was taking it shot by shot and not thinking much because I knew that the pressure would be unbearable,” said the rising star, who became the fourth Thai to win the prestigious King Bhumibol trophy after Suthep Meesawat in 1991, Boonchu Ruangkit in 1992 and 2004 and Prayad four years ago.
The 2011 SEA Games gold medallist acknowledged the contribution of his friend Ken, who was carrying his bag and helped him calm down throughout the week. In fact, they teamed up in the OneAsia event in Seoul two weeks ago where Rattanon lead midway but blew the chance away to end up tied 21st.
“I was thinking about winning that event and put myself under pressure. I learned a big lesson there. My friend and I were talking funny stuff other than golf during the rounds to relax. He really helped me,” said Rattanon.
Rattanon will play the Asian Development Tour co-sanctioned Singha Phuket Open next week and then head to South Korea. However, his aim is to get into the European Tour like his idol Chinnarat Phadungsil, who also hails from the same town.
“My goal is to win more titles and compete on the European Tour and the PGA, if possible,” said Rattanon, the third member of the 2011 SEA Games gold medal winning team after Netipong Srithong and Poom Saksaensin to triumph on the Asian Tour.
India’s Kapur, who won his maiden Asian Tour title – Masters of Asia – on this course in 2005, showed how much he loves the course, shooting a 63 to share the second place with seven-time Tour winner Bhullar, who turned in a 67 card.
“Rattanon deserves it. He was the better player throughout the week. Too bad I didn’t make a birdie on the 18th. You cannot win every week. As long as I can put myself in contention, I’m pretty happy,” said the 35-year-old Kapur.

Panuphol Pittayarat emerged lone fourth with a 70 for 17-under-par 267, one ahead of Danthai Boonma.
Thai No 2 Kiradech Aphibarnrat was at tied sixth with Jazz Janewattananond and Australia’s Terry Pilkadaris and 2016 Asian Tour No 1 Scott Hend.
“I’m sorry that I let my fans down again as I’m physically not in good condition due to high humidity on the course. Rattanon was in superb form and I’m happy that the trophy went to a Thai.”
Former Asian Tour No 1 Thaworn Wiratchant, with a total of 270, finished inside the top-10 for the first time since the 2015 Ho Tram Open in Vietnam, where he finished tied second.

Did you know?
 
Rattanon’s winning total of 21-under-par 263 would have been the lowest 72-hole score so far this season if not for the preferred lies ruling in place.
Rattanon’s opening 62 would also mark the lowest start by a winner so far this season.
Rattanon is the fourth Thai player to win the Thailand Open since it was inaugurated in 1965. The three other Thais are Suthep Meesawat (1991), Boonchu Ruangkit (1992 and 2004) and Prayad Marksaeng (2013). He will take home a winner’s prize purse of US$54,000.
Rattanon is the third Thai player following Prayad Marksaeng (SMBC Singapore Open) and Jazz Janewattananond (Bashundhara Bangladesh Open) to win on the Asian Tour this season.
Rattanon is also the third first-time winner, following Jazz and Australian Todd Sinnott, to emerge on the Asian Tour this season.
With the Thailand Open being the first event of the Panasonic Swing, Rattanon now leads the new Panasonic Swing ranking with 1,800 points.
Rattanon amassed an average of 24 putts per round to win his maiden title this week. He dropped only four shots the entire week.

Fourth-round scores at the par-71, 7097-Yard Thai Country Club course (am - denotes amateur):
263 - Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 62-69-65-67.
265 - Shiv KAPUR (IND) 70-67-65-63, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 65-66-67-67.
267 - Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 64-69-64-70.
268 - Danthai BOONMA (THA) 66-69-67-66.
269 - Scott HEND (AUS) 69-67-69-64, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 67-67-68-67, Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 67-67-66-69, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 66-68-65-70.
270 - Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 69-68-67-66, Gavin GREEN (MAS) 71-66-67-66, Chanachok DEJPIRATANAMONGKOL (THA) 68-68-67-67, Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 71-67-64-68, Pawin INGKHAPRADIT (THA) 70-62-68-70.
271 - John Michael O'TOOLE (USA) 70-68-69-64, Lionel WEBER (FRA) 71-69-66-65, Sihwan KIM (USA) 67-71-68-65, Jarin TODD (USA) 72-65-65-69, Ben LEONG (MAS) 70-64-66-71.
272 - David LIPSKY (USA) 74-67-66-65, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 70-69-68-65, Mitchell SLORACH (SIN) 69-66-68-69, Brett MUNSON (USA) 72-68-62-70, Scott BARR (AUS) 67-67-67-71.
273 - Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 73-68-64-68, Poom SAKSANSIN (THA) 68-68-67-70.
274 - Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 65-74-68-67.